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Professional Counselor Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA (NOW HIRING)

We're looking for a licensed mental health professional who shares that vision and is ready to make ... Offer individual counseling for depression, anxiety, grief, adjustment disorders, and cognitive ...

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Mental Health Counselor

Gonzales, LA · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS Full-time salaried position Submit resumes to: Cfurusa01@yahoo.com and feel free to visit our website at: www.rise-n-shine.co Position:

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Mental Health Counselor

Gonzales, LA · On-site

$30K - $40K/yr

JOB OPPORTUNITY FOR SOCIAL WORKERS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS Full-time salaried position Submit resumes to: Cfurusa01@yahoo.com and feel free to visit our website at: www.rise-n-shine.co Position:

Rehabilitation Counselor

Baton Rouge, LA · On-site

$3.4K - $6.2K/mo

... with professional counseling, guidance, training, vocational alternatives, and placement services resulting in gainful employment and/or self-sufficiency. The ideal candidate should possess the ...

Showing results 21-40

Professional Counselor information

See Baton Rouge, LA salary details

$33.6K

$69.1K

$109.5K

How much do professional counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional counselor in Baton Rouge, LA is $69,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,200.00 and $76,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a professional counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Professional Counselor, you need expertise in psychological assessment, therapeutic intervention, and a master's degree in counseling or a related field, along with state licensure. Familiarity with electronic health records (EHRs), diagnostic tools like the DSM-5, and ongoing continuing education or certifications are typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help counselors build trust and rapport with clients. These skills and credentials are crucial for providing effective, ethical support that fosters client well-being and positive outcomes.

What are some common challenges professional counselors face when working with clients, and how can they effectively manage them?

Professional Counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with clients, managing emotionally intense sessions, and maintaining appropriate boundaries. Another frequent challenge is addressing resistance or reluctance from clients who may be hesitant to open up. To manage these situations, counselors use active listening skills, establish clear expectations, and practice self-care to prevent burnout. Ongoing supervision and peer support also help counselors process difficult cases and maintain their own well-being.

What is the difference between Professional Counselor vs School Counselor?

AspectProfessional CounselorSchool Counselor
CredentialsMaster's degree in counseling or related field, state licensureMaster's degree in school counseling, state certification/license
Work EnvironmentPrivate practices, mental health clinics, community agenciesPublic and private schools, educational settings
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, mental health, community servicesEducational institutions, K-12 schools

Both Professional Counselors and School Counselors require similar credentials, including a master's degree and state licensure. However, Professional Counselors typically work in clinical or community settings, while School Counselors focus on student development within educational environments. Their roles overlap in providing mental health support, but their work settings and specific responsibilities differ.

What is a professional counselor?

Professional counselors are licensed mental health professionals who help individuals, couples, and groups address emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues. They use various therapeutic techniques to assist clients in managing stress, coping with life changes, improving relationships, and achieving personal growth. Professional counselors work in a variety of settings, including schools, private practices, hospitals, and community organizations. Their goal is to provide support and guidance to help clients lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Counselor jobs in Baton Rouge, LA?

The most popular types of Counselor jobs in Baton Rouge, LA are:

What cities near Baton Rouge, LA are hiring for Professional Counselor jobs?

Cities near Baton Rouge, LA with the most Professional Counselor job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Counselor job openings in Baton Rouge, LA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,056 per year, or $33.2 per hour.

Professional Counselor 1, 2, 3, or 4

State of Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA • On-site

$22.96 - $41.38/hr

Other

Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


State Of Louisiana rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 73 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 50 rated states


Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Shreveport, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 224361 NLHSD LPC 1-4 080426
Department: LDH- Northwest Louisiana Human Services District
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/19/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
The Northwest Louisiana Human Services District's mission is to increase public awareness of and to provide access for individuals with behavioral health and developmental disabilities to integrated community-based services while promoting wellness, recovery and independence through education and the choice of a broad range of programmatic and community resources.
Our vision is that the Northwest Louisiana Human Services District exists so that individuals with mental health, addictive disorders, and developmental disabilities residing in the parishes of Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster are empowered, and self-determination is valued such that individuals live a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life.
We are seeking a Professional Counselor to provide recovery-, relapse-, and prevention-centered Professional Counseling Services to individuals with addictive disorders, serious and persistent mental illness, and/or co-occurring disorders. These services include a broad range of evidence-based treatment and require independent clinical judgment and use of varied in-depth evidence-based treatment modalities.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a current Louisiana license to practice as a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) or a Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (PLMFT).
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
  • Conducts individual, family, and group counseling.
  • Develops service plans to address specialized problems related to issues experienced from effects of addictive disorder, serious and persistent mental illness, severe emotional and behavioral disturbance and/co-occurring disorders.
  • Participates in the decision-making process of the treatment team, including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan.
  • Manages a caseload by scheduling appointments, evaluating client progress in counseling sessions, and making recommendations to the treatment team.
  • Conducts telephone and face-to-face crisis and non-crisis screening interviews for Children/Youth and Adults seeking Access to Care through the clinic. Determines eligibility.
  • Documents in official reports and electronic health record assessment data, treatment interventions provided, recommendations made, and implementation of services for the purposes of legal, professional, and ethical accountability.
  • Manages caseload by reviewing charts for no contact, attempting re-engagement and closure of cases as appropriate.

Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional
Career Progression: This position may be filled as a Professional Counselor 1, 2, 3, or 4
Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday -Friday. Some evenings if assigned.
Location: This position will be with the NW LA Human Services District -Shreveport Behavioral Health Clinic located at 1310 N Hearne Ave. Shreveport, LA.
Compensation: Based on level of qualifications and experience.
The minimum and maximum pay levels for the position are listed below:
  • Professional Counselor 1 -$18.75/hour minimum - $33.78/hour maximum
  • Professional Counselor 2 -$20.06/hour minimum - $36.14/hour maximum
  • Professional Counselor 3 -$21.46/hour minimum - $38.67/hour maximum
  • Professional Counselor 4 -$22.96/hour minimum - $41.38/hour maximum
**There is also a $2.00 per hour per actual hours worked premium pay for Licensed LPC.**
**Note regarding the advertised pay range: The advertised maximum amount listed is the maximum salary a person can make while in this title/level over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact information:
For further information about this vacancy, contact:NW LA Human Services District
Human Resources
1310 N Hearne Ave
Shreveport, LA 71107
318-676-5111
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
  • Mardi Gras,
  • Good Friday,
  • Memorial Day,
  • Independence Day,
  • Labor Day,
  • Veteran's Day,
  • Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
  • Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
  • Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
  • Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others

01
Have you ever worked for the State of Louisiana? Please make sure work history reflects this experience.
  • Yes
  • No

02
Please select the licensure you currently possess.
  • Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
  • Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) by the Louisiana Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
  • None of the Above

03
Please provide your license number, type of license, original issue date, and expiration date. If you answered "none of the above", please type N/A in the space below. ***NOTE: Failure to provide ALL information may result in your application being marked incomplete and you will not meet minimum qualifications.
04
How many years of counseling experience do you have? * It is important that you make sure that you include all of your work experience in the work history portion of your application in order to claim it in your response to this question. Work experience left off of the electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit and should not be claimed as part of your response to this question.
  • None
  • Less than 1 year
  • At least 1 year but less than 2 years
  • At least 2 years but less than 3 years
  • At least 3 years but less than 4 years
  • At least 4 years but less than 5 years
  • At least 5 years or more

Required Question

What State Of Louisiana employees say

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State of Louisiana logo

About State of Louisiana

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Louisiana, based in Baton Rouge, LA, US, is not a traditional company per se, but a government body that oversees the administration of the state. As revealed on its official website, louisiana.gov, its wide range of services falls within public administration industry, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, environment conservation, and law enforcement. Founded in 1806, the State of Louisiana’s mission is to ensure a high quality of life for its residents by effectively managing public resources, enforcing laws, and fostering economic growth. Its most notable achievements include the successful implementation of its Coastal Master Plan, aimed at conserving Louisiana's extensive coastline, and the dramatic overhaul of its public education system.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Baton Rouge, LA, US

Year founded

1812

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